Abstract: A multi-chambered inflatable member formed by connecting the perimeters of two polymeric film layers includes a seal line spaced from the perimeter that interconnects the two film layers to form a perimeter inflatable channel along a portion of the perimeter. A plurality of inflatable cells extend between opposing portions of the inflatable channel and are in communication with one of the opposing portions of the inflatable channel. A check valve communicates with the inflatable channel to inflate the inflatable member. Articles being shipped or stored in a container can be placed between two or more inflatable members, the perimeter inflatable channels of which provide perimeter protection between the article and the container.

Abstract: A multi-chambered inflatable member formed by connecting the perimeters of two polymeric film layers includes a seal line spaced from the perimeter that interconnects the two film layers to form a perimeter inflatable channel along a portion of the perimeter. A plurality of inflatable cells extend between opposing portions of the inflatable channel and are in communication with one of the opposing portions of the inflatable channel. A check valve communicates with the inflatable channel to inflate the inflatable member. Articles being shipped or stored in a container can be placed between two or more inflatable members, the perimeter inflatable channels of which provide perimeter protection between the article and the container.

Abstract: A step assembly in combination with a vehicle having a frame and a rear bumper, with an upper surface and a generally vertical outer face, attached to the vehicle frame has an attachment leg with a generally perpendicularly extending step portion. A step bracket supported on the outer face of the bumper mounts the step for swinging movement from a first operative position in which one side of the attachment leg is disposed generally vertically adjacent the bumper face and the step portion extends generally perpendicularly to a retracted second position in which the opposite side of the attachment leg lies vertically adjacent the bumper and the step portion is inversely disposed and extends along the upper surface of the bumper. A lock device is automatically operative between the mount and step under the influence of gravity for releasably locking the step in both positions.

Abstract: An accessing step, mounted on a vehicle having a bumper attached to the vehicle frame, comprises a step part and a mount assembly fixedly supported on the bumper and frame, mounting the step part for swinging movement from a first operative position in which the step part extends generally horizontally to a retracted second position pivoted upwardly to lie generally vertically adjacent the bumper. The mount assembly incorporates a lock device automatically operative between the mount assembly and step part for releasably locking the step part in the second position and automatically locking up to block the step part from downwardly swinging beyond a substantially horizontal position, while permitting the step part to be swung upwardly.

Abstract: Workpiece chucking apparatus includes a chuck body mounting a first plurality of prepositioning lock-up fingers and a second plurality of gripping fingers. The lock-up fingers are biased together radially outwardly or inwardly into engagement with a peripheral wall of a workpiece to initially locate and support the wall of the workpiece in a centered position with respect to a central axis of the chucking apparatus. An inflatable bladder flexes the remaining gripping fingers into gripping engagement with the peripheral wall to further radially support the wall in preparation for machining, without disturbing the prepositioning of the workpiece.

Abstract: A chuck for gripping workpieces to be machined has a chuck body with a workpiece support surface for supporting a workpiece to be machined. Generally radially movable centering and gripping collet fingers are concentrically supported by the chuck body. An inflatable bladder is further mounted on the chuck body in generally concentric relationship with the fingers. Control mechanism is provided for initially radially moving the centering fingers to cause them to move radially and center said workpiece, and then supplies a fluid under pressure to inflate the bladder and move the gripping fingers generally radially to fully grip the centered workpiece.

Abstract: Workpiece chucking apparatus includes a chuck body mounting a first plurality of lock-up fingers and a second plurality of gripping fingers. The lock-up fingers are individually biased radially outward into engagement with a peripheral wall of a workpiece to initially support the workpiece in a predetermined position irrespective of the eccentricity of the peripheral wall with respect to other portions of the workpiece which are first located concentrically with the chuck axis. An inflatable bladder flexes the remaining gripping fingers into gripping engagement with the peripheral wall to further radially support the wall in preparation for machining, without disturbing the prepositioning of the workpiece.

Abstract: A dispenser for flexible sheets from a stack of adhesive coated sheets disposed one on top of another. The dispenser comprises a first housing portion including a bottom wall, end walls, side walls and a first top wall portion; and a second housing portion comprising a second top wall portion mounted on the first housing portion for movement between a normal position where the top wall portions define an outlet opening for the sheets between adjacent ends, and an open position with the second top wall portion spaced from the first wall portion to afford inserting a stack of sheets into the cavity. The dispenser includes attaching means adapted for releasably attaching the dispenser to several different retaining means including a strap by which the dispenser can be secured on a user's hand or wrist; a support member adapted to be held between user's fingers; a weighted base; or a base adapted to be attached to a surface by various means such as adhesive, suction cups or magnetic material.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool is described which includes a motor for moving the tool vertically into a surface to be cut. The motor is connected to the tool by a clutch which is most preferably a ball clutch selectively engageable to transmit drive. The clutch further moves out of engagement should a force between two clutch members exceed a predetermined slip force. This predetermined slip force is adjustable by adjusting a spring force which is applied to maintain the clutch members in the engaged position.

Abstract: The invention provides an extruded caulk strip comprising a shaped caulk body in melt fusion contact with one major surface of a protective strip formed of substantially amorphous, non-tacky, conformable, thermoplastic, film-forming polymeric material. The extruded caulk strip is formed by melt extruding the thermoplastic film-forming polymeric material to form a continuous plastic strip, melt extruding a caulk mass to form a shaped caulk body, and contacting one of the major surfaces of the strip with the shaped caulk body while the contacting surfaces of the strip and the caulk body are in a plastic state capable of self fusion on contact.

Abstract: A container (10) for longitudinally receiving a plurality of electrostatic sensitive electronic components (12) having a rigid, transparent, elongated channel (14) being open on at least one end. The channel (14) has a transparent, insulative layer (22) and a transparent conductive layer (24) at least partially transversely surrounding the electrostatic sensitive electronic components (24). Optionally, the interior surface of the channel 14 may contain an antistatic layer (27). Further optionally, the exterior surface of the container may contain a transparent protective layer (26).

Abstract: A tool holder assembly is provided with a spindle adapter socket member having a threaded end with a nut threaded thereon, the nut having a clamping configuration at a bottom thereof for clamping a tool adapter to the socket. The socket member is provided with an outer diameter toothed ring and the nut is provided with a mating toothed member movable between toothed ring engaging and tooth ring disengaged positions to lock the nut in fixed rotational position to the socket member.